Montlick & Associates

Kids & Teens

Safety Tips

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Do you know why illegal drugs are bad for you?

Below are a number of different kinds of illegal drugs. Click the link next to each drug to find out important information about the bad effects they have on people. What is common to all of them is that they can cause serious health problems and even death to their users. Most of these drugs are highly addictive. In some cases, they can even become addictive after using a very tiny amount.

Messages for Teenagers about Drugs

Remember, you DON'T NEED drugs or alcohol. If you think "everybody's doing it," you're wrong! Over 86% of 12-17 year-olds have never tried marijuana; over 98% have never used cocaine; only about half a percent of them have ever used crack. Doing drugs won't make you happy or popular or help you to learn the skills you need as you grow up. In fact, doing drugs can cause you to fail at all of these things.

  • Know the law. Methamphetamines, marijuana, hallucinogens, crack, cocaine, and many other substances are illegal. Depending on where you are caught, you could face high fines and jail time. Alcohol is illegal to buy or possess if you are under 21.
  • Be aware of the risks. Drinking or using drugs increases the risk of injury. Car crashes, falls, burns, drowning, and suicide are all linked to drug use.
  • Keep your edge. Drug use can ruin your looks, make you depressed, and contribute to slipping grades.
  • Play it safe. One incident of drug use could make you do something that you will regret for a lifetime.
  • Do the smart thing. Using drugs puts your health, education, family ties, and social life at risk.
  • Get with the program. Doing drugs isn't "in" anymore.
  • Think twice about what you're advertising when you buy and wear T-shirts, hats, pins, or jewelry with a pot leaf, joint, blunt, beer can, or other drug paraphernalia on them. Do you want to promote something that can cause cancer? make you forget things? or make it difficult to drive a car?
  • Face your problems. Using drugs won't help you escape your problems, it will only create more.
  • Be a real friend. If you know someone with a drug problem, be part of the solution. Urge your friend to get help.

Remember, Be Smart, Be Safe and DON'T DO DRUGS!!